Winsted-Lester Prairie Journal, May 29, 2000

LP school board looks to city for answers

"We've got the ball rolling, but we've got to get
in there and kick start it," said Lester Prairie Mayor Eric Angvall.

Angvall was referring to future development in Lester Prairie
at the joint meeting between the city council and Lester Prairie School
Board at the school's media center last Monday.

The school board is looking for some solutions to its declining
enrollment. Like most districts in the state, enrollment is down and state
funding isn't increasing dramatically; thus 73 percent of all districts
statewide are faced with budget cuts.

Presently, the board needs to cut 4.5 percent of its budget.
City growth is vital to the district's financial health, because for each
student it gets approximately $4,000.

"In three years, will we have 200 kids in here, or
50 in 10 years? That's what we hope to learn at this meeting," said
board member Barry Kyllo.

"We could plan what we want, but we have no control,"
Angvall said.

Lester Prairie isn't too far from developers coming this
way, Angvall said. A builder, who tired of the seven-county metro area,
recently started building in Mayer, he explained.

He showed some interest here, but it may take three to
five years before development comes this way, Angvall said.

It was also pointed out that Formative Engineering will
soon have an addition that may create 30 to 35 jobs. Angvall said people
will want to move to town because they don't want to commute.

But when Board Chairman Chester Hoernemann pressed him
for numbers, Angvall said that could mean maybe seven to 10 young families.

City council member Rollie Bruckschen said the city is
looking at possibly another two to five years before anything may happen
growth wise.

"We do have a few things going for us," Bruckschen
said.

One of those things is a comprehensive plan which the city
has tentatively adopted.

"This gives us a blueprint to help entice developers
. . . a plan as to how we see ourselves in the future," Angvall said.

Council member Larry Hoof likened it to a recipe in a cookbook
that can be changed.

Supt. James Redfield asked what kind of timeline it puts
the city on for any future development?

The comprehensive plan outlines the growth and development
for the next 20 years, but, Hoof explained, the plan is not that specific
as to when development will occur.

"We're not in the business of taking over anyone's
land or dictating where anything is going to go," Hoof said.

A comprehensive plan is often confused with a development
plan of action, said Angvall. He explained that it's a tool to help this
council wisely use whatever land is available. You look at topography, watershed,
etc. to determine for what that land is best suited.

"The city can't force growth," added Angvall.

Nothing can be done with the surrounding land if it's not
for sale, added Angvall. If the owner of some land wants it developed, then
the city can assist that person by annexing the land and helping with any
grants that might be available.

"But if you're looking at 'in three years we hope
to have 400 homes' ­ that's not part of a comprehensive plan,"
Angvall said.

In the area of housing, Angvall said, interest has been
shown in building apartments or four-plexes, but land is a problem. North
of The Depot on County Road 1, is a five-acre parcel owned by Duane Schumacher
of Watertown. Various council members have been trying to convince Schumacher
to have it developed.

Angvall said that as far as the infrastructure is concerned,
such as water and sewer, the city is in good shape. It isn't in need of
any major infrastructure improvements. He said the only nuance would be
finding areas to develop.

Looking into developers and researching grants is difficult
for council members who have full-time jobs. That's the work of a city
administrator and the next step for where the city would like to go, said
Angvall.

City Clerk Marilyn Pawelk said it's wise to get a comprehensive
plan in place first and then, hope to bring in someone to run it.

Cities that are growing have administrators, commented
Hoof.

"That could be expensive," said Hoernemann.

"You don't look at upfront cost. You look at what
an administrator can bring you," replied Hoof.

A high school needed

The comprehensive plan projects a growth of about 1 to
1.5 percent per year for the next 10 years.

"If growth stabilized or declines over the next few
years, and the school had to do something with its senior high, that is
definitely not an economic boost for the community. I dare say that would
probably take a couple thousand dollars a month out of the businesses,"
said Hoernemann.

Angvall agreed and said that any loss of a school would
have a compounding negative effect on the community.

The life of the school is a real asset when we talk to
developers, said Angvall.

"Whether or not it's K-12, though, doesn't matter.
Look at Cokato," said board member Barry Kyllo.

"It really does have a positive influence to have
a K-12," replied Angvall.

Angvall based that comment on conversations he has had
with developers who say that a K-12 school is nice in a town, because that
isn't seen too often.

One parent asked what benefit a K-12 school has given us
up until now?

From that point discussion shifted to the school's present
situation.

"I think there is a misperception by a lot of people
that we're chopping everything and we can't offer our kids what we've been
offering them. I don't see a dramatic cut in the quality of education from
what we offer our students this year to what we offer next year," said
school board member Fred Blaser.

"We have some holes in the boat, absolutely, but it's
a strong boat, still," continued Blaser.

Carol Klaustermeier said that she is weary of the negative
comments in the community about Lester Prairie School.

"Our program is not being chopped apart. We are just
rearranging things . . . I can't see that our school is falling apart,"
said Klaustermeier.

"Rumor and innuendo are going to kill us before lack
of funds do," commented Hoernemann.

"We've seen a lot of negative press about Lester Prairie
school. We have a lot of positive things here, but it doesn't seem that
that makes the paper," Blaser said.

Pawelk asked, "Who's the PR person? It's up to you.
You've got to get the positive stuff out to the paper."

Another parent said it is a positive that the city and
board is working together on the future of its school and city growth.

With that said, the group agreed to meet again, either
in August or September.